In 1958, Ben Nelson joined a doo wop group, The Five Crowns. Later that same year, The Drifters' manager fired the members of the group and replaced them with The Five Crowns, who had performed several engagements with The Drifters. He co-wrote the first hit by the new version of The Drifters, "There Goes My Baby" (1959). He also sang lead, using his birth name, on "Save the Last Dance for Me," a song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, "Dance With Me," "This Magic Moment," "I Count the Tears," and other The Drifters hits.
In 1960 he left the group after failing to gain a salary increase and a fairer share of the group's royalties. At this point he assumed the more memorable stage name Ben E. King in preparation for a solo career. Remaining on Atlantic, King scored his first solo hit with the stylish, Latin-tinged ballad "Spanish Harlem" (1961). "Stand by Me" was his next recording. "Stand by Me", written by King along with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller was voted one of the Songs of the Century by the Recording Industry Association of America. "Stand by Me" and "Spanish Harlem" were named as two of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll and were both also given a Grammy Hall of Fame Award.
King's records continued to place well on the pop charts until 1963, when British pop bands began to dominate the popular music scene. His hits after 1963 were "What is Soul?" (1967), "Supernatural Thing, part 1" (1975), and the re-issue in 1986 of "Stand by Me" following the song's use as the theme music to the movie of the same name.
The Record
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's been nonstop
Raining on my parade
We had a good run, now it's over
And you might think I couldn't sink any lower
But maybe heartbreak ain't a bad thing
'Cause it got me in here tonight
It's just me right back in my natural neon light
Yeah, I'm linin' 'em up and I'm windin' it up
And it damn sure looks like I'm
About to go from an all time low to a record high
Now I've seen blue skies
In those eyes smiling right back at me
And it's high time
That I had a few more happy hours with a two-step honey
Giving your memory a run for its money
But maybe heartbreak ain't a bad thing
'Cause it got me in here tonight
Don't call it a comeback
It's just me right back in my natural neon light
Yeah, I'm linin' 'em up and I'm windin' it up
And it damn sure looks like I'm
About to go from an all time low to a record high
If you called yesterday, I'd wanted to see ya
But now you're long gone lost
In a honky-tonk, amnesia
Maybe heartbreak ain't a bad thing
'Cause it got me in here tonight
I don't call it a comeback
It's just me right back in my natural neon light
And I'm linin' 'em up and I'm windin' it up
And it damn sure looks like I'm
About to go from an all time low to a record high
About to go from an all time low to a record high
Record high
Record high
Yeah, I broke that record
The opening lines of Ben E. King's song The Record describe the singer's recent struggles, where he has hit rock bottom and everything seems to be against him. Despite the difficult circumstances, he seems to be embracing his heartbreak and using it as a motivation to get back on track. He finds himself in a bar, surrounded by people he's just met, and while he's not calling it a comeback exactly, he's ready to start enjoying life again. He's ready to go from an all-time low to a record high.
The chorus repeats the sentiment that heartbreak may not be a bad thing, as it has brought him here tonight. He's back in his natural neon light, and he's ready to start living again. He's lining up drinks and enjoying the company of the people around him, and he's determined to break that record.
The song is ultimately about overcoming difficult circumstances, using heartbreak as a motivation to come back stronger. It's about enjoying the little things in life and not letting setbacks hold you down.
Line by Line Meaning
Rock bottom is 'bout all I've seen here lately
I have been experiencing a lot of hardship recently
It's been nonstop
It has been happening constantly
Raining on my parade
Ruining my enjoyment and spoiling my mood
We had a good run, now it's over
Things were going well, but now they have come to an end
And you might think I couldn't sink any lower
Things could not possibly get any worse
But maybe heartbreak ain't a bad thing
Perhaps the experience of heartbreak can have some positive outcomes
'Cause it got me in here tonight
Because of my heartbreak, I found myself in this place tonight
I don't call it a comeback
I am not trying to present myself as making a triumphant return
It's just me right back in my natural neon light
I am just returning to my usual environment where I feel comfortable
Yeah, I'm linin' 'em up and I'm windin' it up
I am getting my drinks in and getting ready to party
And it damn sure looks like I'm
It seems highly probable that I am
About to go from an all time low to a record high
It looks like things are about to take a turn for the better
Now I've seen blue skies
I am feeling more positive and optimistic
In those eyes smiling right back at me
I have met someone who is making me happy
And it's high time
It is long overdue
That I had a few more happy hours with a two-step honey
I want to spend more time dancing and having fun with this new person in my life
Giving your memory a run for its money
I am now creating new happy memories that will compete with my memories of my past relationship
If you called yesterday, I'd wanted to see ya
If you had reached out to me before, I would have been interested in seeing you
But now you're long gone lost
However, you are no longer around
In a honky-tonk, amnesia
You are lost in the past, just like me in my previous relationship, and unable to move on
Yeah, I broke that record
I have achieved a new level of happiness and success, surpassing my previous low point
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Drake Milligan, John Russell Pierce, Rodney Dale Clawson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jean Francis
Wonderful: 💃💃💃🎶🎶🎶
irv milne
tune
Maxine Bellini
Twisted wheel club Manchester ..
Live Life
better than stand by me
tommycockles66
Ben E Kings back catalogue of music is epic .
From his time in The Drifters to his solo career.
Stand by me would have bought your house my house and his house alone.
The man’s a Legend, up there with Levi’s Stubs of the 4 Tops and Jackie Wilson.
tony teo
H.B Barnhum does a good take on this if you haven't heard it.